Although blogs are all about oversharing, there's a lot I don't talk about here. Those of you who know me well, know that my mother has been seriously ill for several years -- emphysema, congestive heart failure, and a variety of other ailments. When I started this blog in the summer of 2004, one of the things that kept it going was that Mom was on a respirator, and I couldn't speak to her on the telephone. Dad would bring her the postings every day, just so she'd know that I was okay and hadn't run amok.
Mom survived that attack, and another one this past summer. She was in great spirits over Christmas, and seemed to have more energy than we'd seen in a long time.
A week ago she went back into the hospital, for what we thought was more or less a routine stay. She'd had a cold, it had turned into pneumonia, she had to go back on the IV antibiotics. On top of that, she developed a painful case of shingles, so they moved her to semi-isolation on Saturday.
But I talked to her yesterday, and she sounded like her usual self: philosophical about her Redskins, aggravated with the stupidities of mass culture, worried about all of us, and funny as always.
Last night, she suffered what the doctors call an unrecoverable stroke. She's on life support right now, and is not expected to regain consciousness. The doctors don't expect her to live through the day.
So I'm flying back to Norfolk. I don't know what will happen to this blog; it's taken on a life of its own, and I know the rest of the family reads it, but it was always for Mom, first and foremost.
I don't know what I'm going to do without her.
Update 9:00 a.m.
My sister Susan just called to say that Mom passed away about half an hour ago. The comfort is, as she said, that we know she is already in Heaven and running things.
Funeral arrangements will be through the Bayside Chapel of Hollomon-Brown Funeral Homes, and I'll post details once I have them. Please don't send flowers; Mom would prefer that you send a contribution to the Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad, instead.
5 comments:
Clair, I'm so sorry! The blog world must seem totally remote right now, but having come here for fun today and instead, run into this profound moment... I can't resist a quick comment to say I'm feeling for you. Though I can't imagine what you're going through... Your mom must know she was well-loved. And I hope you find some solace in your family and friends.
Sorry to hear it. (hugs)
I lost my own mother a few months ago after a long and debilitating illness. There is nothing to say that will ease the poignancy of your loss, but I will observe that the love, wit, and decency your mother gave the world lives on in you and your siblings. Her story lives on in you.
My special regards to your Dad, who has lost more than anyone. Mine still breaks into tears every time I talk to him.
My condolences to you and your family at this time.
I lost my mother over the Thanksgiving weekend of 1983 and her mother over Christmas that same year. It was a tough year but life does go on.
Keep on keeping on!
So sorry to learn of your loss. Sounds like you are surrounded by wonderful friends.
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